More than a decade after he took on the British and Irish Lions as a rising young star, veteran fly-half James O’Connor is going to get another crack after being recalled to coach Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies squad ahead of the series opener at Suncorp Stadium.
Australia 21-18 Fiji: international rugby union Test – as it happened
Wallabies survive scare from surging Fiji at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle
Out stride the two teams, side by side, accompanied by mascots. The visitors are wearing white jerseys and black shorts, the hosts are wearing their First Nations jersey, which is predominately gold, with green accents to match the green shorts.
Angus Fontaine puts it all into context for the Wallabies.
Adventurous attack. Bone-rattling defence. Mistakes punished and opportunities seized. Get in the enemy’s faces and bring the crowd into the contest from the get-go. A ragtag NSW Waratahs gave Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies a bold blueprint for how to dismantle the British & Irish Lions in the first Test on 19 July.
Continue reading...Wallabies pull off epic, last-gasp escape act in big boost ahead of Lions series
A 79th minute try from captain Harry Wilson handed the Wallabies a 21-18 victory against Fiji in front of 28,122 fans at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle on Sunday afternoon.
Scrappy Lions limp past undermanned Tahs in promising Wallabies signs
Scotland centre Huw Jones crossed twice as a scrappy British and Irish Lions were forced to battle hard in grinding past a second-string NSW Waratahs 21-10 on Saturday, offering the Wallabies a glimmer of hope.
Star’s 643-day Wallabies exile finally over as Aussies handed big Suaalii boost
Former captain David Porecki will wear the Wallabies jersey for the first time in 643 days on Sunday after being named to take on Fiji in Newcastle as calf injuries ruled out a couple of star Australians.
David Porecki returns to Wallabies team to face Fiji after 643-day international absence
Hooker to partner James Slipper and Allan Alaalatoa in front row
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii returns after recovering from broken jaw
The Wallabies have opted for experience in their front row to face Fiji this weekend, with former captain David Porecki called back into the team, 643 days since he last pulled on a gold jersey.
Porecki, 32, was named on Friday in the starting XV for Sunday’s Test in Newcastle, alongside all-time cap record holder James Slipper and 80-Test tighthead Allan Alaalatoa, in a forward pack missing big guns Will Skelton and Rob Valetini, who both have calf injuries.
Continue reading...Massive headache for Lions after star injured during acrobatic try in commanding win over Force
British and Irish Lions face an anxious wait over the fitness of Tomos Williams after the scrum-half suffered a hamstring injury in their commanding 54-7 win over Western Force in Perth on Saturday.
‘If we can be within a score…’: Wallabies coach sets expectations for Lions Tests
Australia coach Joe Schmidt is confident the Wallabies can be competitive against the British and Irish Lions, but he will be wary of a side wounded by defeat to Argentina in a Dublin warm-up.
Veteran flyhalf James O’Connor overlooked for selection in Wallabies squad for Test against Fiji
Veteran flyhalf James O’Connor has missed selection in an extended 36-man Wallabies squad for next month’s Test against Fiji in Newcastle.
‘Spread his wings’: Wallabies coach fans flames of Cleary rugby switch rumour
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt is open to the idea of NSW State of Origin star Nathan Cleary switching to rugby union but is focused on the ongoing development of the national team’s current fly-half options, including Queensland Reds No.10 Tom Lynagh.
The Breakdown | Trash-talk and rough sleeping: following the 2001 Lions’ tour of Australia
After a taste of the atmosphere during a post-university year travelling I was hooked and the memories will last a lifetime
June 2001. I’m on an overnight Greyhound bus from Cairns to Townsville. A typical post-university year travelling in Australia and New Zealand has taken an unwelcome turn after an equally typical relationship breakup.
Initially there had been no plans to follow that year’s British & Irish Lions tour, even though I had been enthralled by the classic encounter against the Springboks four years earlier. With my newfound freedom it seemed logical to head south, a couple of hundred miles down the coast, to see the legendary tourists in action.
Continue reading...Incoming Australia coach Les Kiss to take charge of Lions tour invitational team
- AUNZ Invitational XV play British & Irish Lions in Brisbane in July
- Former Wallaby Toutai Kefu to coach First Nations and Pasifika XV
Incoming Wallabies coach Les Kiss will get an early taste of international rugby when he oversees the AUNZ Invitational XV against the British & Irish Lions in Adelaide.
Queensland Reds mentor Kiss will team up with former All Blacks coach Ian Foster, who was already announced as an assistant for the July fixture, the first time since 1989 that Australia and New Zealand have combined on the field.
Continue reading...‘This is thuggery’: USA star faces months-long ban for stomping repeatedly on Wallaroo’s head
An American rugby sevens star is facing a mammoth ban for brutally stomping on the head of an Australian player in an act of “thuggery” on Saturday.
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii injury not as bad as feared as Wallabies get boost for Lions tour
- Player still needs surgery but fractured jaw is on lower scale
- ‘Just a four-week injury,’ says NSW Waratahs coach Dan McKellar
Wallabies fans can breathe easier after NSW Waratahs coach Dan McKellar allayed fears of Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii missing any Tests against the touring British & Irish Lions.
Despite Suaalii requiring surgery for a broken jaw, McKellar on Thursday said the injury was of a lower scale and the 21-year-old was already back in the gym working out to maintain his conditioning.
Continue reading...‘Difficult decision’: Wallabies hopeful Mason Gordon retires from rugby aged 22 on medical grounds
Former Australia under-20 international fullback Mason Gordon has retired aged just 22 because of ongoing concussion symptoms.